JOB TITLE: RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 14330

DEFINITION: This is professional and supervisory work in the monitoring and control of radiological health hazards in the field of radiation protection in the Department of Environmental Protection.

An employee in this job supervises a professional staff in a regional office who are engaged in a variety of duties to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing radiation protection or serves as a section manager in central office by directing professional staff in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of one or more statewide radiation protection programs. Work involves supervising radiation health physicists and providing direction, guidance and training to subordinates and evaluating their performance. Work requires coordinating the activities of the assigned unit with other organizational units; determining specific program goals, objectives and priorities; evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the assigned program; developing, implementing or recommending changes to regulations, policies and procedures; and reviewing proposed legislation for possible impact on the assigned program. Work is assigned in the form of program goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in determining the specific goals, objectives and program priorities. Work is reviewed by a regional program manager or division manager through reports and conferences for attainment of goals and objectives and overall program quality and effectiveness.

• In a regional office, work involves determining inspection and investigation priorities; directing emergency response activities; and directing and coordinating the x-ray and accelerator safety programs or the radioisotopes safety and special projects programs.

• In the central office, work involves planning, developing and implementing one or more statewide radiation protection programs such as radon certification, radon monitoring, radioactive material licensing, environmental surveillance, emergency response or the registration and licensing of radiation producing equipment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Establishes performance standards for subordinates in the conduct of inspections and investigations.

• Reviews reports prepared by subordinates for compliance with procedures, policies and regulations.

• Directs and assists in emergency response activities involving accidents and incidents at nuclear power reactors in the Commonwealth and adjacent states and participates in exercises and drills at nuclear power reactors.

• Leads special or emergency surveys in response to accidents or incidents involving radioactive materials.

• Participates in the development of statewide and/or regional policies and procedures involving the radiation protection program.

• Reviews and interprets plans and specifications of the most complex radiological installations.

• Directs the certification of individuals and firms providing radon-related services to the public, including testing, laboratory analysis and mitigation services and supervises inspections of certified facilities and enforces civil penalties as needed.

• Directs the statewide radon monitoring program, including providing training to central office and regional office staff, providing diagnostic services on unusually difficult radon problems in residential and commercial structures, conducting surveys of areas with high radon activity and supervising the development of public information services to increase awareness of radon issues.

• Directs the licensing program for the use of naturally-occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive material; writes, issues and signs licenses with all necessary items and conditions; develops license guides and program policies and procedures and analyzes the effectiveness of the program through the review of radioactive material inspection reports.

• Directs the statewide registration of x-ray equipment and vendors of machines which produce ionizing radiation.

• Directs the licensing of medical and industrial accelerators.

• Supervises the development of guidance to assist licensees and registrants in complying with radiation regulations and provides consultative support to field staff on the interpretation of policies and regulations.

• Plans, establishes and directs the environmental radiation surveillance program throughout the Commonwealth and around nuclear power plants and other facilities, including the collection of samples and analysis of data for inclusion in annual reports.

• Plans, develops and implements the statewide radiation emergency response program and serves as the bureau’s liaison with other federal and state agencies on emergency planning issues.

• Provides training, consultation and assistance to subordinate personnel, other department personnel and to industry and professional groups.

• Makes presentations to scientific and technical organizations and at public meetings concerning issues related to radon and radiation protection.

• Travels to various work sites.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of radiation health physics.

• Knowledge of the biological, chemical and physical sciences related to radiation protection and health physics.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the collection and analysis of radioactive surveys and radiological data.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing radiation protection.

• Knowledge of radioactive waste disposal techniques and procedures.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the evaluation of radiation exposure.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in investigating complaints involving exposure to, or high levels of, radiation.

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques and safety precautions used to conduct safety inspections, onsite surveys and investigations of radiation producing facilities and equipment.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques and safety precautions used to identify, control and mitigate radiation hazards and radon problems.

• Knowledge of the operation, calibration and preventative maintenance required for radiation detection and environmental sampling equipment.

• Knowledge of radiation emergency response procedures.

• Ability to read, comprehend and interpret written materials such as laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Ability to read and interpret data from meters and other measuring devices.

• Ability to prepare and interpret data presented in graphs, tables, charts and narrative formats.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to determine the appropriate level of enforcement required to encourage or compel compliance with departmental rules and regulations.

• Ability to independently conduct, or direct the conduct of, special studies on new methods of evaluating and controlling radiation hazards.

• Ability to negotiate effectively with federal government officials and facility operators on important and sensitive issues affecting the radiation protection program.

• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and training sessions for a wide range of audiences, including departmental staff, facility operators, industry groups, government officials, consultants, special interest groups and the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years as a Radiation Health Physicist 2;

or

• Four years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards and a bachelor's degree in health physics, radiation physics, radiation biology, nuclear physics or applied health physics;

or

• Four years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards and a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in the physical, biological or radiological sciences or in nuclear engineering, that includes 20 college credits in health physics or radiological sciences;

or

• Three years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards and possession of a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists;

or

• Two years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards and certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require possession of an active non-commercial PA Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

• Certain positions require current certification in mammography issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.